Plan your trip

Plan your Trip to Netherlands: the best information to plan your trip to Holland | Your Dutch Guide

Plan your trip to The Netherlands. Are you coming to The Netherlands? Or are you dreaming of travel to The Netherlands? Just come on over and anjoy yourself. Hopefully, you have found lots of inspiration on my travel blog about The Netherlands, beyond Amsterdam. But maybe you need just a little straightforward info about getting here and getting around. You’ll find all the information you need, right here.

When to visit The Netherlands

The Netherlands have sonething to offer in any season Many may want visit The Netherlands in spring because of the tulip fields. But the other seasons are pretty amazing as well. Spend and afternoon at the beach or hiking in a national park in summer, see the beautiful foliage of the fall season and come and enjoy the Christmas markets and light festivals in winter. Click on the seasons below to find the best information for the season of your choice.

Essential visa information

The Netherlands are part of the Schengen agreement. If you’re travelling from outside the Schengen area, you may need a short stay Schengen visa. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has listed all the information you need on a visa for The Netherlands.

Flights to The Netherlands

There are three large airports in The Netherlands. The largest of them being Schiphol Airport, or Amsterdam Airport. Most international flights will fly to Amsterdam Airport. A lot of long distance carriers offer direct flights to Amsterdam, as well as most budget airlines within The Netherlands. Rotterdam/ The Hague International Airport is conveniently located outside of Rotterdam and well connected by public transport. You can fly to Rotterdam from the UK, but also from many European destinations. Eindhoven Airport, located in the south of The Netherlands is where low coast airlines fly to, such as Ryanair, Wizzair or Transavia. 

Arriving in The Netherlands

  • Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
    From Amsterdam Airport simply take the train that will take you directly into the city centre of Amsterdam. From Amsterdam Airport train depart to basically all larger cities in The Netherlands. 
  • Rotterdam/ The Hague International Airport
    From Rotterdam/ The Hague International Airport walk to underground station Meijerplein. Line E will take you either to Rotterdam Central Station or The Hague Central Station.
  • Eindhoven Airport
    From Eindhoven Airport take the Airport Express Bus to Eindhoven Central Station. From here you can take a train to any destination in The Netherlands. Amsterdam will take about an hour.
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Train travel in The Netherlands

Train travel is easy and relatively cheap in The Netherlands. All large  cities and towns are well-connected by train and it’s very easy to get around by using only trains. The cheapest way to get aroud by train is to buy your tickets online in adcance. Especially train tickets from and to Amsterdam can be a lot cheaper if purched beforehand. 

Driving in The Netherlands

If you are arriving by car, you’ll find that The Netherlands are fairly easy to navigate. Make sure you stick to 100 km/h on the highway and don’t go over 50 km/h within cities, towns and villages. Overtaking can only be done on the left side. Needless to say: using your mobile phone while driving is prohibited. 

If you’d like to explore The Netherlands by car, but don’t have one with you, renting a car is the best option. To rent a car you will have to be over the age of 19, carry your driving licence, passport and a credit card to your name. If you have a driving license that’s printed in a non-Roman alphabet, you will also need an International driving license to rent a car. Renting a car as soon as you’re able to, wil get you the lowest fares. 

Distances in The Netherlands

  • Amsterdam to Utrecht: 40 minutes by car, 30 minutes by train.
  • Amsterdam to Maastricht: 2 hours and 30 minutes by both train and car.
  • Amsterdam to Delft: 1 hour and 20 minutes by car, 55 minutes by train.
  • Amsterdam to Rotterdam: 1 hour and 40 minutes by car, 1 hour by train.
  • Amsterdam to Texel: 2 hours and 45 minutes by both car and train (incl ferry).
  • Utrecht to Groningen: 2 hours by both train and car.

Cycling in The Netherlands

Cycling in The Netherlands | Your Dutch Guide

You won’t feel more Dutch as when you discover the country on a bycicle. But even though cycling in The Netherlands is fun, it’s not wout hazards. Make sure you stick to bike paths as much as you can. Whe cycling on the streets, stay right as much as you can. Be aware of your surroundings: trams, bussesm cars or pedestrians may not notice you. And most of all: always lock your bike (with an extra lock). 

Great bike tours to join

Where to stay in The Netherlands?

There are no many amazing hotels in The Netherlands that it’s quite hard to know where to begin. In every article here on Your Dutch Guide I’ve made it a point to suggest the loveliest accommodation. If you’d rather stay in a holiday park I have listed all Center Parcs in The Netherlands, too. Below you will find some great options when staying in The Netherlands.